JUN 17 -- Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted 22 defendants on charges related to a drug distribution conspiracy in the Gilmor Homes public housing complex in Baltimore. The indictment was returned on June 16, 2010, and unsealed today upon the arrests of 12 of the defendants. Three indicted defendants were already in custody.

The defendants arrested today had initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

The indictment was announced by Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration; United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.

“Gilmor Homes citizens deserve to live without the fear and intimidation inflicted by drug organizations,” stated Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Ava A. Cooper-Davis. “Today’s arrests will have a significant impact on the drug related activity in and around Gilmor Homes. This investigation is an example of the continued commitment of law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels to get drug traffickers out of our communities,” added Cooper-Davis.

“Federal agents and prosecutors are working closely with the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and Baltimore City Police Department to put armed criminals and dangerous gangs out of business,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “We aim to make our community more safe by sending armed criminals and dangerous gang members to federal prisons far from home.”

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy said, “This investigation is evidence of my commitment to working with our partner agencies to insure that dangerous offenders are removed from our communities. The hard working men and women in my office, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Baltimore Police Department, and the DEA worked tirelessly throughout this investigation. The individuals arrested as part of this joint investigation were identified for prosecution as a result of their association with the drug trade and evidenced by their use of guns to further this activity. The citizens of Baltimore can rest assured that I will continue to use every resource at my disposal to focus on these organizations who are affecting the safety of our communities.”

According to the 12 count indictment, the following defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, powder cocaine and heroin in and around the Gilmor Homes public housing complex in Baltimore.

Dione Fauntleroy, a/k/a “Sticks,” and “Dummy,” age 26, of Woodlawn;

Robert Campbell, a/k/a “Son Son,” and “Sunny,” age 28, of Baltimore;

Damian Jackson, a/k/a “Face,” age 31, of Baltimore;

Deon Strong, a/k/a “Baller,” age 25, of Baltimore;

Roger Ford, a/k/a “Tink,” “Tavon” and “T,” age 30, of Baltimore;

Travis Stanfield, a/k/a “Pudge,” age 30, of Baltimore;

Victor Thornton, a/k/a “Fat Boy,” age 24, of Baltimore;

Larry Pitts, age 35, of Baltimore;

Jerome Powell, a/k/a “Nitty,” age 30, of Baltimore;

Tavon Scott, a/k/a “Zelly,” age 23, of Baltimore;

Tiffany Butler, a/k/a “Slinky,” age 29, of Baltimore;

Kimmer Baker, a/k/a “Big Boy,” age 31, of Baltimore;

Dione Fauntleroy, Sr., a/k/a “Big Man,” age 46, of Baltimore;

Willilam Herring, age 66, of Baltimore;

Taii Speaks, age 23, of Baltimore;

Romesh Vance, a/k/a “Ro,” age 20, of Baltimore;

Jasmine Brunson, a/k/a “Gotti,” age 28, of Baltimore;

Sonya Rogers, age 26, of Baltimore;

Kevin Jenkins, a/k/a “Mud,” age 26, of Baltimore;

Tony Collins, age 29, of Baltimore;

Edwin Hanks, age 25, of Baltimore; and

Ryan Gilliam, a/k/a “Wimp,” age 33, of Baltimore.

The indictment further alleges that on February 18, 2010, Tavon Scott distributed heroin; on four occasions from February 19 to March 29, 2010, Roger Ford distributed crack cocaine; on three occasions from March 4 to April 20, 2010, Travis Stanfield and Larry Pitts distributed crack cocaine; and on May 4, 2010, Jasmine Brunson also distributed crack cocaine. Finally, the indictment alleges that Dione Fauntleroy illegally possessed a gun with an obliterated serial number in furtherance of the drug trafficking.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison on the drug conspiracy. Ford, Stanfield and Pitts face a maximum of 40 years in prison for each count of distribution of crack cocaine; and Scott and Brunson face a maximum of 20 years in prison for distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, respectively. Dione Fauntleroy also faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, and a maximum penalty of life in prison for possession of a gun in furtherance of drug trafficking. Fauntleroy also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession of a gun with an obliterated serial number. Tavon Scott, Romesh Vance and Jasmine Brunson are in state custody on unrelated charges.